Comprehension Techniques for Young Learners. 

Reading is an essential skill that children need to develop to be efficient and productive in day-to-day activities, especially while at school. However, for many young learners, reading can be a challenge. 

In this blog post, we will explore some reading comprehension strategies that can help children between the ages of (4-14) improve their understanding of what they read. The strategies are explained subsequently:

1. Firstly, preview the text before reading. Before diving into a story or article, ensure your child takes a few minutes to preview the text. In this way, a child looks at the title to grasp what the main context is narrowing about and also pictures. This will give them an idea of what the texts are all about and what to expect. This can also help them to make connections between what they already know and what they will be reading.

2. Ask questions before, during, and after reading.

Encourage your child to ask questions about the text before they start reading. This will help them to focus on what they want to learn from the text. As they read, have them pause and ask questions about what they are reading. This will help them to stay engaged and to think critically about the text. Finally, after they have finished reading, have them reflect on what they have read by asking questions such as: 

What did you learn? 

What were the most interesting things you read? 

What did you like or dislike about the text?

3. Use a reading strategy like SQ3R is a reading strategy which stands for Survey, Question, Read, Recite, and Review. This strategy helps children to actively engage with the text and to better understand what they are reading. 

First, they should Survey the text by looking at the title, headings, and pictures. Next, they should ask questions about the text. Then, they should Read the text, pausing to ask questions and make connections. After they have finished reading, they should Recite what they have read and summarise it in their own words. Finally, they should Review the text by reflecting on what they have learned.

4. Practice reading aloud.

Reading aloud can help children to improve their fluency and comprehension. When children read aloud, they can hear themselves read and make connections between the words and the story. This can help them to better understand what they are reading and to become more confident readers.

5. Make connections.

Encourage your child to make connections between what they are reading and their own experiences, as well as other texts they have read. This will help them to better understand and relate to the text. Additionally, you can use the text as a springboard for deeper discussions and connections to the world around them.

6. Summarise and pen down salient points. 

A child needs to be able to write down what he or she understood from an article or book that was read. Being able to put down points as much as possible improves the retention capacity of a child in long-term memory.

Hence, by using these reading comprehension strategies, children between the ages of (4-14) can improve their understanding of what they read. These strategies will help them to become more engaged and active readers and to develop the skills they need to succeed in school and life in general.